10 Ways To Use Tea Bags That Have Nothing To Do With Your Morning Cup

As a coffee person, I can’t sit here and tell you that tea is part of my daily routine.

And knowing what I know now, I can tell you that I’ve been screwing up for years. Even if you’re like me and you just can’t get behind drinking the stuff, there are plenty of things that you can do with tea that have nothing to do with drinking it.

Black tea contains compounds called tannins, which have astringent, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Whether your hair needs a clarifying rinse or you have to take care of nasty carpet stains, tea bags have your back.

1. If you get approximately zero hours of sleep a night and you have the under-eye bags to prove it, soak two tea bags in cool water and place them under those tired eyes for a few minutes.

And if you buy into what’s going on in this photo, it will be a freaking blast.

2. Steep a few tea bags in boiling water, chuck the bags, let the tea cool down a bit, and use it to rinse damp hair. This will help combat dandruff and product buildup while restoring shine.

3. Are your shoes smelling a little funky? Place a dry tea bag in each one for a few hours to absorb all of that nastiness.

iStock

4. After a long, lasagna-filled evening, soak your dishes in the sink with a tea bag or two to loosen up stuck-on food.

5. If you notice that your bathroom mirror could use a little TLC after your morning cup of tea, use the tea bag to break down crud and wipe it away.

6. Chopping onions and garlic means resigning yourself to the fact that your hands are going to smell horrible for the rest of the night. Fight the power by rubbing wet tea bags all over your hands. Peace out, odor!

7. Add a bit of flavor to pasta by placing some tea bags in the water while it comes to a boil. After that, just cook your pasta as usual!

8. Brew weak tea with used tea bags and then use it to water your plants. This will protect everything in your garden from developing fungal infections.

9. Spot clean your rug with used tea bags. Let the bag sit out until it’s just damp, rip it open, and apply the leaves to the area that you want to clean. Allow the leaves to dry, and then vacuum them away.

10. Save money on air fresheners by making your own out of dry tea bags. Sprinkle a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto each of the bags and then tie them up around your home for added freshness.

Tea bags are good for way more than a caffeine kick! Which of these hacks will you try?